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School for sleuths thrives on vetting for arranged marriages

Satya Ranjee Banerjee said: “I can get my detectives into anyone’s bedroom. We do it very discretely — I usually use female detectives for this work”Robin Pagnamenta

The former policeman adjusts his wraparound shades and rubs a jewelled hand across a stubbly chin.

“We teach them everything. How to bug phones, use hidden cameras — whatever is needed to get the job done,” said Satya Ranjee Banerjee, 77, the founder of India’s first school for private detectives. He lectures students on everything from fingerprint and handwriting analysis to finding confidential phone and bank records.

Mr Banerjee, who was a private eye for 35 years after working for the Calcutta police, is cashing in on a trend. Rising incomes, a growing population and frustration with the nation’s corrupt law enforcement are driving brisk demand.

“It’s a very adventurous and sporty career,” said Anindya Mitra, 24, a former bank clerk who enrolled at the…